Dr. Atanasije Puljo: Pioneer of Serbian dentistry

Abstract

This paper describes the life and work of Dr. Atanasije Puljo (1878-1944). He was a volunteer in the Balkan wars, an active participant in the First World War; he was the first who noted the importance of team-work of a dentist and a surgeon in the care of jaw and facial injuries. He established primacy in this field, as he came up with this brilliant idea three years before other colleagues. His method of treatment of the upper jaw neglected fractures, called the Balkan method, was recognized worldwide. Dr. Puljo is the pioneer of dental radiology in Serbia, founder of the Odontology Clinic of the Medical Faculty and main supporter of the establishment of the School of Dentistry. Merits of Dr. Atanasije Puljo, medical practitioner with a broad knowledge in different fields, remain within the academic institution that was founded by this pioneer of dentistry in Serbia.

Dr Atanasije Puljo (1878-1944) bio je dobrovoljac u balkanskim ratovima, aktivni učesnik u Prvom svetskom ratu i prvi koji je uočio značaj zajedničkog rada zubnog lekara i hirurga u zbrinjavanju ranjenika s povredama vilica i lica. Na taj način zauzeo je primat u ovoj oblasti i tri godine pre drugih došao na ovu genijalnu zamisao. Svetski je priznata njegova metoda lečenja zastarelih preloma gornje vilice, nazvana 'balkanska metoda'. Dr Puljo je pionir stomatološke rendgenologije u Srbiji, osnivač Odontostomatološke klinike Medicinskog fakulteta i idejni začetnik Stomatološkog fakulteta u Beogradu. Zasluge dr Atanasija Pulje, sveobuhvatnog medicinara, ostaju utemeljene u instituciji fakulteta koju je pionirski začeo ovaj rodonačelnik stomatologije u Srbiji.